Media : Press Room
Press Room : Press Releases
For Immediate Release: March 6, 2008
Venous Disease Coalition Warns of
Dangers of DVT
VDC Launches New Campaign to Provide
Public and Health Education Materials about DVT
More than one million Americans suffer from venous blood clots every year. Over 100,000 die from complications from venous blood clots suddenly, with little or no chance for treatment. The Venous Disease Coalition (VDC) has just launched its “Spot a Clot” public and health care provider national campaign to provide educational materials about venous blood clots and their complications.
The “Spot a Clot” campaign is designed to provide public information about deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). DVT is the abnormal clotting of the blood in the deep veins of the legs or pelvis. PE occurs when a DVT breaks loose and travels through the heart and lodges in the lungs, sometimes resulting in death and often causing long-term disability. The VDC educational materials include general information about venous blood clots as well as the risk factors, treatment information, and tips for prevention.
Venous blood clots are the third most common vascular diseases after heart attack and stroke, and they are often preventable. The VDC wants to help Americans learn the risk factors and warning symptoms of venous blood clots and their complications. While these potentially life-threatening conditions are treatable, more education about them is needed.
The VDC will also be providing health care providers with a brief overview of venous thromboembolism (VTE), the medical term to describe both DVT and PE. The VTE overview provides the clinical features of DVT and PE, and describes risk factors along with information about treatment and prevention.
“The need for education about VTE is more important than ever,” said Samuel Z. Goldhaber, MD, Chair of the VDC. “With timely treatment, these deaths can be prevented, and the quality of life for survivors can be improved.”
Spot a Clot" materials will be distributed through its 20 member organizations including the Spirit of Women Health Network, a national network of leading hospitals dedicated to improving women's lives with innovative health and community programs. "Spot a Clot" information will be distributed in hospital waiting areas, during patient visits and select patient discharge appointments and appropriate community locations. Materials were also distributed at more than 60 locations on February 23rd, 2008 during Spirit of Women's Day of Dance for Health® Event. Aiming to inspire women and their families toward better overall health, Day of Dance combines the fun of dancing to different forms of music, with health screenings and consumer education on heart disease and other women’s health issues.
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